English Springer Spaniel's Health Insurance

The English Springer Spaniel breed was originally bred as a gun dog. Its name comes from the way it would spring, or jump, to startle birds into the air to be shot by hunters. They would also retrieve the dead birds. As with Cocker Spaniels, there are two distinct types of the dogs today - working (or field-bred) Springer Spaniels and spaniels bred for showing.

The general nature of Springer Spaniels means they love to play and explore. One of the things that makes the English Springer Spaniel different from the other spaniels is their long legs, which make them much faster than other spaniel breeds. It also means they require a good amount of regular exercise to use up their energy. They also enjoy 'working' which means they are likely to run off into hedges and explore and find themselves things to do.

The main health issues that have been linked to Springer Spaniels are hip dysplasia which can lead to them suffering from arthritis. They can also suffer from Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) which affects their vision and in the worst cases can lead to complete loss of vision. Also, like all dogs with floppy ears, Springer Spaniels are prone to suffering from ear problems, mainly infections. If your Springer Spaniel does suffer from ear problems you can get ear canal treatment to help them. Speak to your vet for advice..

Springer Spaniels can also suffer from eye problems, including inward and outward curling eyelashes, and in some case an extra row of eyelashes. Although this will be uncomfortable for your pet it isn’t life threatening. Corrective surgery is available. Like all dogs you should make sure your Springer Spaniel has a healthy and balanced diet and an appropriate exercise regime as they are prone to putting on weight quite easily. Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from a number of health issues.

When getting any pet you should always look seriously at taking out pet insurance cover for them. With so many different policies to choose from, you will be able to find the perfect one to suit your pet and your budget. Having insurance for them will mean you are protected against the costs of many emergency veterinary treatments they may need if they suffer an accident or become ill, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy you acquire.